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T HE COUNT KYMAN
last named would join issue with the
writer, for they will not admit that
they are a ‘denomination,’ but contend
that they arc the church—but let us
hope for the best. The article goes
on :
‘‘Of these five denominations, two
might unite without much counnuta-
tiou nu either side: I mean the Luther
ans and Methodists, as both of thorn
are staunch Arminian# * * * Now
it is easy to see that a similar union
might be effected between these two
sects and the Presbytorians, provided
the latter would not insist on engraft
ing the peculiarities of Calvinism into
the creed of the church. As individ
uals, they might continue to hold those
peculiarities, but let them not be con
stituted into articles of belief * * At
present, Lutherans and Methodists
nave intimate and hospitable fellow
ship with Presbyterians—they all
preach, pray, and commune together.
‘As wo do not consider it necessary to
put any Arminian peculiarities into
our Confession, perhaps our Presby
terian brethren might consent to be as
reticent in regard to-the peculiarities
of Calvinism. # *
“In regard to our Baptist brethren,
there is a difficulty which does seem
insormountablc. That which divides
them from us is not a mere doctrinal
speculation—it is a practical, funda
mental matter, so far, I mean, as
church membership is concerned. I
wish we could get them to think as
Bunyan, Robert Hall, and Spurgeon
teach, that it would not be improper
for them to unite with us in looking at
the portrait of our common Friend.
There are churches in England, the
pastors of which arc Pedobnptists,
and tlio members are some Podobap-
tists and some Antipedobabtists. * * *
“The question of union with our
Protestant Episcopal friends is, per
haps, as much complicated as that just
considered. The unchurching dogma
of ‘succession* presents a formidable
banier in the waj of union. 1 liavo
no doubt that many Protestant Epis
copalians as firmly believe in the real
ity of tbeir apostolic succession ns
John Wesloy believed it was a ‘fahlo.’
Wo certainly cannot subscribe to that
dogma. * * There are, moreover,
certain passages in the prayer book
that affirm the dogma of ‘baptismal
regeneration,’ so called. Bishops Sea-
bnry, White, Moore, &c., say that
these passages are not susceptible of
any other interpretation * * For the
sake of union, a Methodist or Presby
terian might submit to the reimposi
tion of hands (as Dr. Poke was ever
willing to do)” * * *
Here follow suggestions concerning
many other obstacles, ayd then occurs
this ;
“Perhaps if the P. E. Church could
unite with any other, or any other
with it, that other would be the M.
E. Church. A few years since) one
of the foremost clergymen of the P.
E. Church proposed a union to two of
our bishops. lie said lie could not
insult us by proposing the roordhia-
tion of our ministers—he himself be
lieved in the validity of our order.
But as a good many of Iris brethren
did not, ho proposed that in all future
ordinations one or more of the bishops
of each church should unite in the
imposition of hands * * *
“But let them (the Episcopalians)
not delude themselves with the fancy
that the other churches, who outnum
ber them, perhaps twenty to one, will
surrender everything, principles, pre
possessions, prejudices—v/liile they
surrender nothing at all. Let them
seriously and thoroughly investigate
tho whole question, and then tell us
candidly what they can do, and what
they cannot do, to effect a union, and
we will du likewise -A * *
“Tt may, perhaps; .Jfcsaid that if a
union could be effecten between the
P. E. and M. E. churches, still the
other communions would not unite
with them because of the episcopal
government, which it is not proposed
to supercede *' * So far as the
Puritan clement has impregnated the
Presbyterian churches, thoy would,
of course, oppose imparity ; but then
there is a great deal of Presbyterian
ism that is non-Puritan. Calvin was
uo Puritan, but lie was tho father of
Presbyterianism; yet lie expressed
himself favorablo to the Anglican
episcopacy, and would, perhaps, have
won a mitre, had ho lived in England.
The learned and immortal Grotius was
an Arminian Presbytciian, yet he ex
pressed himself favorable to the Augr
lican episcopacy—not, of course, on
the High Church basis.”
The Doctor concludes thus:
“If no other good results from in
vestigations cf this sort than the as
certaining, not how widely wo may
differ, but how nearly we may agree,
our time may not bo misemployed.”
Tire article is quite a long one, and
very little idea can be gained of .it,
and justice cannot Le done the author,
by the meagre extracts we have giv
en It should be read as a whole, It
seems fo bo written in a gOod spirit—
rather different from that which we
heard (with what truth we cannot
say) actuated the Georgia Conference
in its course with regard to the very
affectionate farewell, letter addressed
to it by the Rev. M»\ Thomas, a min
ister of tlio Methodist faith, who
withdrew from that persuasion, united
with tho Protestant Episcopal church,
and took orders. If we have been
misinformed, we would bo glad to be
sot right.
Now the question arises, “Can any
thing be done towards effecting the
purpose of Dr. Summers’ article?”
Whether or not tlioro is any hope, wo
throw in our mite by giving the fore
going a place in tho' columns of this
journal.
Dr. Summers mentions a proposi
tion made by an Episcopal clergyman
to Methodists.-—‘Unless wo are mista
ken a similar proposition was once
made by Methodists to Bishop White,
an Episcopalian. *
Brilliant Success of the Con
federates !—We do not wish to givrr
any sensational news, but tliiuk that
we are fully warranted in assuring our
readers of, and congratulating them
upon, the fact of a victory achieved
by our gallant troops on monday,.be
tween Swift Creek and Drewry’s
Bluff. The buttle commenced early
on the morning of monday, and raged
some five hours, with groat success to
our anus, and resulted in the driving
back of tho enemy at every point, in
the direction of his gunboats, and ho
is now at Bermuda Hundreds, rejoic
ing iu this avenue of escape. This
avenue he never would have had, but
for the cpuduet of a General officer,
acting snbordinately to Gen. Beaure
gard. We know what reputation is
worth, and how grave an offence it it*
to sully causelessly that of any man.
Particular caution should be used in
sifting reports concerning lire conduct
of such an officer as General Whiting,
placed in such a command as be was
eutrustod with on monday, when so
much depended on his ‘ acting well
his part,’ at a most critical time. But
so many concurring reports, made by
men coming from the field, uncontra
dicted by one dissenting voice, attach
to his neglect, or disobedience of or
ders, t lie weighty responsibility of the
failure of Gen. Beauregard’s plan for
i iifr capture and destruction of Butler’s